Auditions: Women’s a Cappella Show Chorus’ Open Rehearsal Night Sept. 24

Harmony Fusion Chorus
News Release

Media Contact Only:
Heidi Massie
Harmony Fusion Chorus
Publicity Manager
(925) 519-5158

Photo attached

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 23, 2018

Women’s a Cappella Show Chorus’ Open Rehearsal Night Sept. 24
Harmony Fusion Welcomes Women from all Cultures, Communities

HAYWARD, CA – Harmony Fusion Chorus, an award-winning women’s a cappella barbershop show chorus, will host a special open rehearsal night to welcome new singers from all backgrounds and cultures. Details are as follows:

Open Rehearsal Night

Monday, September 24, 2018; 7-9:30 pm
Hill and Valley Women’s Club
1808 B Street, Hayward
(Just off 580 in Castro Valley/Hayward region)

“We are looking to add to our chorus of women who love to sing and are enthusiastic about performing, competing, and improving their vocal skills,” says Jenny Gurney, Membership Chair. “If you have a good ear for music, we want you! The ability to read music is not required!”

Harmony Fusion Chorus, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International (SAI), is open to female singers as young as high school age. The chorus meets Monday nights from 7pm – 10pm in Hayward. Guests are always welcome, but September 24 is set aside as a special open rehearsal.

“We hope to attract singers from a variety of backgrounds, so that our chorus grows to resemble the diversity of the East Bay. We are a welcoming bunch, and are eager to share the close sisterhood of Harmony Fusion Chorus with our guests.”

At this special interactive rehearsal, visitors will experience what it’s like to sing in the barbershop style as a member of Harmony Fusion Chorus. After a meet and greet, guests will join members on the risers to experience the joy of “ringing chords” together.

“Music education in Barbershop singing is the mission of Sweet Adelines,” says Sarah Owen, Board President, “and our director, Barb Vander Putten takes that to heart. Not only does she encourage us to take advantage of the many learning and leadership opportunities that our chorus and SAI offer, but she is always looking for opportunities to improve her skills as well. Barbara is wonderful to sing for! She has high expectations for us, but she is kind and has a sense of humor that keeps it fun. Of course, singing a cappella is the best!”

Director Barbara Vander Putten, a SAI Certified Director and member of the SAI Region 12 coaching faculty, has directed Harmony Fusion Chorus since March of 2006. Under her direction, the chorus has medaled several times at the annual Sweet Adelines International regional contests.

Harmony Fusion has also been recognized for its high member retention rate, and won back-to-back SAI Region 12 Bravo awards to honor the achievement. “We are extremely proud of the award,” says Gurney. “We are the first and only chorus to receive the award twice! We believe it’s our welcoming and supportive culture, and of course, our fabulous director Barb!”

For more information about the open rehearsal night, contact Jenny Gurney at (925) 200-1191. General information about the Harmony Fusion Chorus is available on its Facebook page @harmonyfusionchorus or the chorus website at www.isingharmony.com.

About Harmony Fusion Chorus
Harmony Fusion Chorus is committed to musical excellence and education, enthusiastically sharing the joy of singing four-part, a cappella harmony in the barbershop style. Members pride themselves in community involvement and strive for innovative entertainment and diversity in their membership.

Harmony Fusion Chorus is proud to be a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education, performances and competitions. Sweet Adelines International boasts an international membership of nearly 27,000 women, including more than 1,200 registered quartets and 600 choruses. The organization’s motto is “Harmonize the world.”

A fusion of harmony, the ensemble was formed by the consolidation of two smaller choruses, both chapters of Sweet Adelines International. Harmony Bay Chorus, chartered in 1973, was based in Oakland at the Lake Merritt United Methodist Church. Harmony Crossroads, chartered in 1993, was based at the Pleasanton Community Church in Pleasanton. The two groups once had occasion to sing together which convinced them they had a sound to hold on to, and so Harmony Fusion Chorus was formed.
About the Director Barbara Vander Putten
Barbara Vander Putten, a Bay Area native, began her vocal music career in 1977 joining the West Valley Masterworks, with whom she sang diverse repertoire of classical music, folk music, madrigals, show tunes, and spirituals. She was the Assistant Director of the award-winning Mission Valley Chorus (Sweet Adelines International (SAI)) for 12 years, serving as Interim Director in 2005. Barbara was named Director of the Harmony Fusion Chorus (formerly Harmony Crossroads Chorus) in March of 2006, proudly leading them to a fourth place medal in their SAI regional contest a year later. Ms. Vander Putten is a Certified Director, a member of the SAI Region 12 coaching faculty, participated on the judging panel for the West Coast Regional Harmony Sweeps Semi-Finals in 2006 and is perhaps best known as The Duchess in the off-the-wall comedy quartet, The Aquanettas (1999-2006). She currently sings bass in her quartet “With a Twist.” In addition to singing, Barbara uses her speaking voice as one of the four enthusiastic hosts of The Human Voice Show, featuring a cappella harmony, on People’s Radio KKUP – Cupertino 91.5fm.

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